Connecting system for low-voltage lighting, lighting system comprising such connecting system and auxiliary means therefor

Abstract

 A connecting system (1) for low-voltage lighting comprises at least two connecting means which are used for providing the mechanical and electrical connection of a light source (4) to an electrical conductor (3). The connecting means preferably comprise a helically wound, electrically conductive element. The windings (2) of said element are so arranged that the conductor can be clamped therebetween.
An embodiment wherein the windings (2) are furthermore so arranged that also the light source (4) can be clamped therebetween constitutes another preferred embodiment.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting system for low-voltage lighting for connecting a light source to electrical conductors. The invention also relates to a low-voltage lighting system comprising such a connecting system. The invention furthermore relates to auxiliary means therefor. Such a connecting system is known in the industry.

[0002] Commercially available connecting systems for low-voltage lighting generally comprise a one-piece supporting part, which includes means for providing a connection to electrical conductors, and means for fitting a light source. Said supporting part must be arranged such that the electrical current will flow via the light source rather than directly from one conductor to the other via said supporting part. One drawback of such a connecting system, among others, is its complicated, bulky and heavy construction.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved and simplified connecting system for low-voltage lighting.

[0004] In order to accomplish that objective, the connecting system according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least two separate connecting means, which are so arranged that each element provides the mechanical and electrical connection of the light source to a respective electrical conductor.

[0005] By using this feature of the invention, a very simple connection is obtained. The connecting means according to the invention can each be connected both to a lamp cap of the light source and to an associated electrical conductor. The connecting means according to the invention function as current collectors and at the same time as holders for a light source. With the connecting system according to the invention, the light source forms part of the mechanical connection between the electrical conductors, therefore.

[0006] The invention also relates to a connecting means, preferably for use in a connecting system according to the invention, wherein said connecting means can on the one hand be connected to an associated lamp cap of the light source and wherein said connecting means can on the other hand be attached, preferably clampingly, to an associated conductor.

[0007] According to one preferred embodiment, said connecting means comprises a helically wound, electrically conductive element, the windings of which are so arranged that the conductor can be clamped therebetween. According to said preferred embodiment, said element can simply be slid over the conductor, for example by slightly elongating the element, as a result of which the windings are positioned sufficiently far apart to position the conductor therebetween. In this manner a solid connection with the conductor is obtained. By suitably selecting the material of the element, the element can be connected to the conductor with an appropriate clamping pressure for low voltage, in such manner as to ensure a permanent electrical and mechanical connection. This simple preferred connection therefore prevents the electrical contact between the conductor and the current collector from deteriorating after some time.

[0008] Preferably, the windings of the helically wound, electrically conductive element are so arranged that also the light source can be clamped down therein. For example, it is possible to connected the light source co-axially to the element.

[0009] The invention furthermore relates to a lighting system for low voltage, comprising a low voltage power source, conductors and a connecting system, wherein the connecting system comprises at least two separate connecting means, which are so arranged that each of them provides the mechanical and electrical connection between the light source and a respective conductor.

[0010] The invention will be explained in more detail hereafter with reference to the drawings, which show embodiments of the system according to the invention.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a connecting means according to the invention.

[0012] Fig. 2 shows an electrical conductor, which is clamped down in a connecting means according to the invention.

[0013] Fig. 3 shows a light source, which is connected with a conductor by means of a connecting means according to the invention.

[0014] Figs. 4 - 6 show means which can be used with the connecting means or the lighting system according to the invention.

[0015] Fig. 7 shows a variant of the connecting means according to the invention, and Fig. 8 shows the use thereof in a lighting system.

[0016] The drawings, and in first instance Fig. 1 thereof, show a connecting means 1, by means of which a light source for low-voltage lighting can be connected to a conductor. The connecting means consists of a helically wound element comprising windings 2 of an electrically conductive material.

[0017] A conductor 3 is clamped down between the windings 2 of connecting means 1, as is shown in Fig. 2. In order to have the connection between the connecting means and the conductor take place with sufficient force, the element must be made of a resilient material, preferably a metal. In the rest position, the windings may abut each other, but they may also be spaced some distance apart. In any case, a sufficiently large force must be exerted on a conductor when it is placed between two windings, so as to make sure that the connecting means cannot become detached from the conductor.

[0018] Fig. 3 shows the manner in which a light source 4 is connected to two parallel conductors 3 by means of two connecting means 1 according to the invention. The light source 4 includes two lamp caps 5 disposed on either side of the light-emitting element. The helically wound, electrically conductive element of connecting means 1 according to the invention can be slid over both lamp caps 5, and both elements can be connected to an associated conductor 3. The inner diameter of the helically wound element is at least substantially equal to the outer diameter of lamp cap 5 of light source 4. The light source is thus co-axially connected to the element in a very simple manner. A simple, solid connection between the windings 2 of element 1 can be obtained by suitably selecting the outside diameter of the lamp cap 5. Preferably, the outer diameter of the lamp cap 5 and the inner diameter of the windings of element 2 are moreover so selected that they can be separated in a simple manner.

[0019] Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show means to be used with the connecting means or the lighting system according to the invention.

[0020] In order to prevent a connecting means according to the invention being slid off a conductor, a locking device may be fitted over it. Fig. 4 shows such a cylindrical locking device 6, which is provided with a closed end surface 7 on one side. The other side is open. From this side, two recesses are formed on either side in the wall of the cylindrical locking device, which recesses extend in the direction of the closed end surface 7. Said openings may for example terminate approximately halfway the length of the cylinder. The width of the recesses 8 is so selected that it is sufficiently large to receive a conductor 3 therein. When the locking device 6 is slid over a connecting means 1 according to the invention, conductor 3 is received in recess 8. The locking device can then be slid over the connecting means, until conductor 3 has reached the end of recess 8, or until connecting means abuts to the inner side of end surface 7. For example, the locking device is constructed in such a manner that it fully covers connecting means 1.

[0021] The locking device may be made of any desired material, for example metal, but also non-conducting materials, such as plastics, may be used. The locking device may also be made of a flexible material.

[0022] Fig. 5 shows a reflector 9, which includes joining means 10 for connecting the reflector to the connecting means 1 according to the invention, and further a bent reflector element 11. The inner side of reflector element 11 may be provided with a reflective coating. Reflector 9 must be made at least partially of an electrically insulating material, so that the current cannot directly flow from one conductor to the other via the reflector. The joining means 10 are preferably formed in such a manner that they can be simply clamped down in the helically wound, electrically conductive element of the connecting means according to the invention. When the joining means 10 of reflector 9 are to be clamped between the helically wound elements, the distance between the two joining means 10 is larger than the total length of light source 4. According to another possibility, the joining means 10 are clamped over the lamp caps 5 of light source 4, or over the connecting means 1 according to the invention. Joining means of this kind are known in the industry.

[0023] Fig. 6 shows an element 12 which can be placed over a light source 4 as shown in Fig. 3. In this case, element 12 is in the form of a sphere, which is provided with a cylindrical recess for receiving the light source 4 therein. Preferably, recess 13 is also suitable for at least partially receiving therein connecting means 1 according to the invention. Light source 4 can be placed into recess 13, after which the connecting means 1 are slid over the two lamp caps 5 of light source 4. Preferably, the element 12 is sufficiently long for covering light source 4 completely, at least the light-emitting part thereof. The connecting means 1 may project from both ends of recess 13 so as to be connected to conductors 3 in the above-described manner. Element 12 may be made of any desired material which is suitable for being placed over a light source. The material must be sufficiently heat resistant, whereby it applies that the material must not deform under the influence of the heat produced by light source 4. Furthermore it is preferable that the material of element 12 will not be subject to discoloration under the influence of the heat produced by light source 4 or the light produced by light source 4. When the connecting means 1 are made sufficiently strong, element 12 may have any desired size or be made of any material, irrespective of the weight thereof. Element 12 may for example be made of glass, but it is also possible to form it of plastic material, as long as said materials meet the above requirements. The element may furthermore have any desired shape. The inside of recess 13 may be roughened in order to provide uniform, mat light.

[0024] Fig. 7 shows a variant of a connecting means 1 according to the invention, wherein the connecting means as shown is in the form of a corner element 14, which includes two helically wound elements 15, 16 for interconnecting a conductor and a light source, respectively, said two elements 15, 16 being separated from each other by means of a connecting portion 17 in this embodiment. It is also possible, of course, to have the two elements 15, 16 blend directly into each other, without separating them from each other by means of a connecting portion 17. Fig. 8 shows a possible use of such a corner element 14 in a lighting system, wherein the two lamp caps 5 of a light source 4 are connected to two corner elements 14 by connecting respective lamp caps 5 co-axially to the elements 16 of the two corner elements 14, and wherein the two corner elements are connected to two respective conductors 3 by means of connecting means 15. In this embodiment, light source 4 is arranged parallel to the conductors.

[0025] From the foregoing it will be apparent that the invention provides a connecting system for low-voltage lighting for connecting a light source to an electrical conductor, wherein the connection can be effected in a very simple manner. Also the removal of such connecting means can be realised very easily. Moreover, no tools are required for said fitting or removing. Furthermore it is possible to produce the connecting means according to the invention in a manner which is known in the industry.

[0026] The invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiments as shown in the drawing, which can be varied in several ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus it is possible to use the connecting means according to the invention for light sources which are not co-axially connected to the connecting means. It is for example possible to clamp down well-known low voltage light sources, for example halogen lamps provided with two pin-shaped terminals for the electrical current, between the windings of the helically wound, electrically conductive element, as a result of which a solid connection is obtained between the connecting means and the light source, analogously to the manner in which a connection is obtained when the current conductor is placed between the windings of the element. According to another possibility, the connecting means is provided with clips, which are attached to the conductor. It is also possible to use strip-shaped conductors arranged parallel to each other, which can be inserted between the windings of -the element, rather than using wire-like, parallel conductors. The strips may for example be bent. It is also possible to use two circular conductors arranged above each other, which are both provided with a central opening, and wherein light sources are fitted between the two conductors by means of the connecting means according to the invention. Furthermore it is possible to use different winding diameters. For example, the diameter of the windings for connection to the lamp cap of a light source may be so selected that said lamp cap can be co-axially connected to the connecting means by means of a clamped fit, and that the diameter of the helically wound element has a larger, or, on the contrary, a smaller diameter at the location of the connection to the conductor. Furthermore it is possible to use an angle of less than 90°, or, on the contrary, of more than 90°, between the element which connects to the conductor and the element which connects to the light source.

Claims

1. A connecting system for low-voltage lighting for connecting a light source to electrical conductors, characterized in that it comprises at least two separate connecting means, which are so arranged that each element provides the mechanical and electrical connection of the light source to a respective electrical conductor.

2. A connecting means, preferably for use in a connecting system according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means can on the one hand be connected to an associated lamp cap of the light source and wherein said connecting means can on the other hand be attached, preferably clampingly, to an associated conductor.

3. A connecting means according to claim 2, wherein said connecting means comprises a helically wound, electrically conductive element, the windings of which are so arranged that the conductor can be clamped therebetween.

4. A connecting means according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said light source can be co-axially connected to the connecting means.

5. A connecting means according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the inside diameter of the helically wound element is at least substantially equal to the outside diameter of a lamp cap of said light source.

6. A connecting means according to any one of the claims 3 - 5, wherein said element is made of a resilient material, for example a metal.

7. A connecting means according to any one of the claims 3 - 6, wherein the part of the element which is to be connected to the light source is arranged at an angle with respect to the part of the element which is to be connected to the conductor.

8. A lighting system for low voltage comprising a low-voltage power source, conductors and a connecting system, characterized in that said connecting system comprises at least two separate connecting means, which are so arranged that each element provides the mechanical and electrical connection of the light source to a respective electrical conductor.

9. A lighting system according to claim 8, wherein said connecting means comprise a helically wound, electrically conductive element, the windings of which are so arranged that the conductor can be clamped therebetween.

10. A lighting system according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a light source which includes means for being connected to said connecting means.

11. A reflector provided with joining means for providing a tight connection with the connecting means according to any one of the claims 2 - 7.

12. A locking device to be placed over a connecting means according to any one of the claims 2 - 7, including a cylindrical wall having an inside diameter which is at least substantially equal to the outside diameter of said connecting means.

13. A locking device according to claim 12, also including at least one recess formed in said cylindrical wall for receiving a conductor therein.

14. An element to be placed over a light source for use in a lighting system according to any one of the claims 8 - 10, provided with a cylindrical recess for receiving the light source therein, and wherein said recess is preferably also suitable for at least partially receiving therein a connecting means according to any one of the claims 2 - 7.

Drawing